Friday June 10, 2022

Today is Friday, June 10, and today we are continuing to pray through chapter one of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause to be still, I slow down my breathing, and I seek to be more fully present with God in these quiet moments.

Pause and Pray

Holy Spirit, help me release my worries and distractions into your compassionate care as I rest in stillness with you. Amen.

I worship God, here and now, as I join with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 145.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. – Psalm 145:17-21 NIV

Pause and Pray

We now prayerfully read these last two verses at the end of Ephesians chapter one. Paul, imprisoned by the power and authority of Rome, further explains the divine power and authority God has placed under the feet of Jesus Christ.

And God placed all things under his (Jesus Christ) feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him (Jesus Christ) who fills everything in every way. – Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV

I am in awe of how Paul uses this one sentence to paint a divinely cosmic picture, beginning with this partial quote from Psalm 8: “And God placed all things under his feet…” (Eph. 1:22a). Perhaps Psalm 8 was on Paul’s mind in this particular moment because it describes the place of human beings in God’s creation: “You made them (human beings) rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet…” (Psalm 8:6). Jesus Christ, who is both fully human and fully divine, is the fulfillment of God’s plans for all creation. Without Jesus, we are incomplete and unable to fulfill our purpose, our calling. I am but one beloved part of the body of Christ, the Church, and joined together in unity with Christ we are extravagantly blessed to become “the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Ask: How is the Church following the lead of Jesus Christ to fill all creation, in every way, with the message of God’s grace and love? How am I following the lead of Jesus Christ to fill all creation with this good news?

Pause and Pray

Holy Spirit, help me notice a particular word, phrase or thought you want me to carry throughout this day as I slowly read the passage once more.

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. – Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV

Ask: What word, phrase or thought from this passage is God’s Spirit guiding me to notice? How will I carry it with me throughout the day?

Pause and Pray

Lord, help me look inward and pay attention to what you have led me to see and hear. I invite you to transform me in these moments so that I might reflect the thoughts and actions of Jesus Christ throughout this day. Amen.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. – Colossians 1:15 NIV

Lord, as I leave this time of prayer, make me ready to be faithful to you in every way. Jesus, make me ready to serve others with your compassion and grace. Holy Spirit, transform my inner thoughts and motivations so that all I do, I do to please you. Amen.